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Johnny B. Goode Lyrics

Deep down in Louisiana close to New Orleans
Way back up in the woods among the evergreens
There stood an log cabin made of earth and wood
Where lived a country boy named Johnny B. Goode
Who never ever learned to read or write so well
But he could play a guitar just like a-ringing a bell

Go, go!
Go, Johnny, go, go!
Go, Johnny, go, go!
Go, Johnny, go, go!
Go, Johnny, go, go!
Johnny B. Goode!

He used to carry his guitar in a gunny sack
Go sit beneath the tree by the railroad track
Oh, the engineer would see him sitting in the shade
Strumming with the rhythm that the drivers made
The people passing by they would stop and say
"Oh my, but that little country boy could play!"

Go, go!
Go, Johnny, go, go!
Go, Johnny, go, go!
Go, Johnny, go, go!
Go, Johnny, go, go!
Johnny B. Goode!

His mother told him, "Someday you will be a man
And you will be the leader of a big old band
Many people coming from miles around
To hear you play your music when the sun go down
Maybe some day your name will be in lights
Singing 'Johnny B. Goode Tonight'!"

Go, go!
Go, Johnny, go, go!
Go, Johnny, go, go!
Go, Johnny, go, go!
Go, Johnny, go, go!
Johnny B. Goode!
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Cover art for Johnny B. Goode lyrics by Chuck Berry

This is based on Berry's life. It tells the tale of a boy with humble beginnings with a talent for guitar. Some details were changed: Berry was from St. Louis, not Louisiana, and he knew how to read and write very well. The line, "That little country boy could play" was originally, "That little colored boy can play." Berry knew he had to change it if he wanted the song played on the radio. Berry got the name "Johnny" from Johnnie Johnson, a piano player who collaborated with Berry on many songs. Always makes me think of Back to the Future!

Cover art for Johnny B. Goode lyrics by Chuck Berry

Chuck. Chuck. It's Marvin - your cousin, Marvin BERRY. You know that new sound you're looking for? Well, listen to this!

Cover art for Johnny B. Goode lyrics by Chuck Berry

This song was sent with the Voyager into deep space for any aliens who happen upon it to listen to.

Cover art for Johnny B. Goode lyrics by Chuck Berry

I knew this has some autobiographic twist, but I always thought that "Johnny" showing up in many songs relates to Johnny Winter.

I know I'm wrong in this one because of "timing" but I know somewhere else I'm right!

Cover art for Johnny B. Goode lyrics by Chuck Berry

brillant

Cover art for Johnny B. Goode lyrics by Chuck Berry

How can I explain how much influence this song has had over rock and roll? TOP.

Cover art for Johnny B. Goode lyrics by Chuck Berry

i wish i was alive in the 50's. some of the best music came from that era. and influences me more than any other kind. and it makes you feel like dancin!!

Cover art for Johnny B. Goode lyrics by Chuck Berry

Literally a classic.

Cover art for Johnny B. Goode lyrics by Chuck Berry

The Rock n' Roll National Anthem.

Cover art for Johnny B. Goode lyrics by Chuck Berry

The most influential rock'n'roll song ever.